We’ve been planting a lot of seeds this year. It’s been a time of a lot of changes and one of my favorite places to take it all in has been in my garden. I’m a novice gardener who has a small urban yard in a borough of NYC. Urban gardening has always amazed me. Amidst the bustle of city life, I now have this small oasis where I can plant the smallest seeds and watch them burst into full bloom before my eyes.

I’ve focussed on perennials that are low upkeep. The past two years at my apartment have been an experiment of what takes and what rebels against the combination of love and neglect I offer. Starting with a plot of earth and an inheritance of some gorgeous rose bushes, I’ve added pathways and a bird feeder to make this small patch feel like home. We have a stump that’s slowly decomposing that brings an annual wave of beetles that arrive so fattened that they fly as if drunk. These are the birds’ favorite snack so throughout early summer we hear contented chirping as robins and white throated sparrows cheerfully gobble them up. Our roses bloom mid spring and if the rain is consistent will continue to blossom throughout the summer. Bouquets of yellow, crimson and sweet pink dabble my garden and each week I can venture out to grab a new arrangement.

This year, I’ve added more herbs as well as hearty tomato and kale plants. The tomatoes have been my true prizes. It’s been a phenomenal year for tomatoes and peaches once more. The last two years I was saddened beyond measure with the blights affecting crops and keeping my favorite summer dishes well out of my reach. This year, I’ve celebrated with homemade bruschetta, peach crisps, decadent BLTs and quiches that make use of my favorite summer crops.

TIP for tomato plants:

Plant them in the sunniest part of your yard and water them DAILY.

Last year, I let nature do my watering and was surprised to find the desiccated remains on returning from a trip. My mother told me my plants needed more water when she visited and I thought she was crazy- I had sprinkled them that very day. She looked at me and took control of the hose, soaking the plants roots for a solid 10 seconds (which I would have thought was flooding my precious little potted beauties). The next day, the leaves were greener, more resilient and it appeared as if the very plants themselves had perked up. Okay mom, you were right. I also had tried to move these pots from their preferred spot in the sun last year and put them in a more aesthetically pleasing section of my yard with 1/2 the daily sun. That didn’t work…at all. It’s a hard lessen for me to not simply put things where I want them to be but actually take into account their needs. But when I do these simple things the results are breathtaking.

Cooking with wine is always fun, now tell me I don’t have to do dishes and I’m yours!

Well, I was fortunate enough to attend Blogger Night at Cook&Go in NYC. They not only kept my glass full but they also took care of all the cleanup putting them up there on my list of dream kitchens.

The menu was fast paced and fun and I was really impressed that unlike a lot of other cooking classes I’ve attended, each participant was able to complete the full menu instead of a single recipe. The instructor gave just the amount of help but also kept the class moving.

Hands down it was a really fun experience. Dinner out with a bunch of friends where I could leave with all the food and none of the fuss. Dinner perfected!

It’s Super Bowl and though I’m blue through and through I decided to go for flavor over flair in my game day apps. I love a good 7 layer dip. Anything that transports tortilla chips to my mouth is good by me. Now take that classic dip and add 3 MORE LAYERS and you’ve got a game day classic. All in!

In a food processor combine black beans (including liquid in can) with taco seasoning. Puree until smooth and then spread to fill the bottom of a clear baking dish by 1/4 inch. Next, add queso fresco and then salsa and spread evenly over beans. Top with guacamole, spreading evenly. Next add sour cream, cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, then olives, then jalapenos. In a small bowl, mix ingredients for pico de gallo. Season to taste and strain extra liquid. Finish 10 layer dip by topping with pico de gallo and sprinkling with a touch more salt. Serve with corn chips and enjoy the game!

Here’s a delightfully easy and tasty chicken dish that will spice up your normal dinner roster. The coconut milk makes the chicken incredibly succulent and the Thai curry packs in the flavor. Not bad for a Monday night meal.

In a medium sauce pan, combine coconut milk, 1/2 cup water, and curry paste. Mix and then bring to a simmer. Add chicken and cook for about 6-8 minutes until just done. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon and set aside. Bring coconut mixture to a boil. Boil about 10 minutes to reduce.

Meanwhile, in a saute pan add sesame oil and bring to medium-high heat. Add red potato and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 10 minutes stirring from time to time and then add in onion and cook an additional 2 minutes. Cover pan and allow to steam for 3-4 minutes then add in red pepper. Cover and cook another 3-4 minutes. Then add in garlic and baby corn and toss ingredients together. Cover with coconut- curry sauce.

In a small bowl, mix arrow root powder with equal parts water and stir to create a slurry. Stir into saute pan of coconut vegetables and lower heat as sauce thickens. Add in chicken and mix all ingredients together, heating for an additional 2 minutes. Finish with lime juice. Serve warm over brown rice. Enjoy!

I made this as a big batch and I was certainly glad I did. It is an AMAZING snack throughout the day filled with fresh ingredients and hitting on so many cravings at once– while still being incredibly healthy. It is another one of my go-to lunch options that I make on Sunday and eat throughout the week.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir. Yes, it is that simple! And couscous is one of my favorite grains because it cooks so fast. If you chop fast, this is literally a 10 minute recipe. Enjoy warm or as a chilled couscous salad.

I had some wonderful leftover turkey from my father and was feeling like kicking off 2012 to a healthful and hearty start. This soup is a great way to utilize those pieces of turkey that are too small for layering into sandwiches and works with either light or dark meat. So here’s to a fresh start on the year. Eat up!

(okay, yes, my recipe had lentils in it–a mistake purchase at the grocery store–still good but better with only black eyed peas)

In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add butter and onions and saute until translucent (3-4 minutes) stirring once or twice as you cook. Season with salt and a light dusting of white pepper. Then add in the kale and saute till reduced in size by half (2-3 minutes). Add turkey, stir and then season once more with a pinch of salt and shake of white pepper. Cover with chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add in rosemary and oregano. Reduce to a simmer and cook 15 minutes. Add in black eyed peas and cook an additional 10 minutes. Season to taste and serve warm. Enjoy!